Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs is undergoing a major reshuffle, with top diplomats reassigned in what insiders describe as a bold move to tighten foreign policy coordination, though not without concerns over stability.
Among the most notable changes is the recall of Ambassador Lindsay Kiptiness Kimwole from Thailand. Kiptiness, who also managed Kenya’s relations with Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam, will now serve as Deputy Director General of the Asia and Pacific Directorate, replacing Jane Makori. Makori will now deputise him.
A seasoned diplomat with over 15 years of experience, Kiptiness has become a key player in Southeast Asia. Since his 2021 posting, he has tackled one of Kenya’s toughest foreign service challenges, rescuing citizens trafficked into cyber scam operations in Myanmar. In March, he confirmed that more than 150 Kenyans, mainly from regions like the North Rift, Nyanza, Western Kenya, Nairobi, and the Coast, had been rescued over the past three years.
“We are still working to bring back more,” he said, reflecting how his role had evolved into humanitarian coordination beyond traditional diplomacy.
Daniel Wambura, formerly Kenya’s ambassador to Burundi, has been appointed Deputy Director General of the Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities Directorate. He takes over from Rose Makena Muchiri, who now heads the Registry of Treaties. Her new posting marks her third reassignment in just over a year, raising questions about the Ministry’s rotation policy.
Josephat Maikara, a long-serving senior diplomat in Nairobi, has been elevated to Director General for Political and Diplomatic Affairs, ranking third in the Ministry’s leadership. His appointment ends a short four-month stint as Chief of Protocol, following earlier shifts across various senior roles in the past year.
Other changes include the reorganisation of several key directorates:
Michael Mwiti will now lead the UN and International Organisations Division.
Tobias Owino takes over the Climate Change and Environment Division.
Eva Mwanika heads the Candidatures Division, critical as Kenya eyes better results in global elections.
Abdishakur Sheikh Noor will lead the East African Community and Great Lakes Division, deputised by Peter Mwanzala.
Arthur Ahuya Olanda moves to the Peace and Security Division.
Judy Muthoni will lead the Europe and Commonwealth Directorate.
Stella Munyi is the new head of the Americas and Caribbean Division.
Joseph Masila will now oversee the Middle East Directorate.
Diana Kiambuthi, formerly in charge of Europe and Commonwealth, has been shifted to Cultural Diplomacy.
Meanwhile, Henry Wambuna returns as acting Chief of Protocol, deputised by Samson Kemboi. The Protocol Department has come under scrutiny following several missteps, including a diplomatic blunder involving the upside-down hoisting of Kenya’s national flag during an international event.
Patrick Wamoto has been appointed acting head of the Foreign Service Academy, which is expected to train a new generation of diplomats equipped for global negotiations.
While some view these changes as part of President Ruto’s broader strategy to revamp Kenya’s global presence, especially in multilateral diplomacy, climate engagement, and African integration, others worry that the pace of reshuffling may undermine long-term effectiveness.
“These frequent rotations deny senior officials the time to properly grasp their dockets,” one insider warned. “Without continuity, policy execution suffers.”
Still, Ruto’s administration appears determined to reset the ministry’s machinery. Whether the restructured team will anchor Kenya’s evolving foreign policy or get lost in bureaucratic churn remains to be seen.
